Parreira wary of Ghana

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has warned his side to give last 16 opponents Ghana their full respect.

Parreira's side are the favourites to retain the title they won in Japan four years ago, but he believes they will face a tough test of their mettle against a Ghana side making a big impact on their first appearance on the biggest stage of all.

He said: "They have always been skilful technically but have improved a lot because they have lost their innocence. Their football is much more professional now.

"Of course we take into account our opponents and we respect them and must analyse them, but the main focus for us is to concentrate on our own game and ensure we play the way we want to.

"In the World Cup you need to play very technical football and you have to always make progress because now the tournament is in its knockout stages, it's like every game is a final.

"The most important game is always the next game. The only final we have on the agenda at the moment is our last 16 game.

"We respect Ghana who are technically a very good team. To get to the last 16 of the World Cup shows they are a good team.

"We are now entering a difficult phase of the competition where if you lose a game you go home."